5 Hottest Apparel Stocks So Far in 2013

Sometimes, a small comeback can mean big profits

Express

Last year, investors were so over Express (EXPR). The company — which hit the market in 2010 after being spun off from Limited Brands (LTD) — fell an ugly 60% from March to November last year.

Since then, though, investors have slowly come crawling back in typical lonely ex-lover fashion — apparently having second thoughts about the breakup. EXPR has doubled since the aforementioned November 2012 low, while more than 50% of its recent gains have come this year.

One reason: It just keeps on growing. EXPR opened around 30 new stores last year, but has also improved its full-year sales and profits consistently since 2010.

That’s the good news, though. The bad: Express — after lowering its outlook back in March — is slated to break that growth trend in 2013, with analysts expecting a 1% decline. Then again, it’s still early in the year and EXPR’s full-year forecast has been marching upward during the past few months.

Plus, the next five years are expected to hold 19% annualized EPS growth, all while EXPR remains 12% off all-time highs and is trading for just 13 times forward earnings.